As we are reaching the mid-point of the implementation phase of the action plan in the Valencian Region, it is time to make a preliminary assessment of the objectives achieved so far.
The first of the planned actions was the improvement and adaptation of the mandatory regulations that sets out the design and quality requirements that must be met by new and renovated dwellings and residential buildings in the Valencian Community. REDUCES partners transferred the knowledge and good practices acquired during the first phase of the project to the commission in charge of its improvement and adaptation. The draft regulation has now been validated with all relevant stakeholders and sectors and has been submitted for public consultation. The regulation is now following the usual process to be finally approved. It will be then when we will be able to evaluate the success and the improvements in favour of the circular economy finally introduced in the regulation.
About the second of the measures proposed in the action plan, the development and implementation of a tool to promote the implementation of circular economy criteria in the renovation of residential buildings, within the framework of the Next Generation grants, we can already discern the first results of this action.
In February 2022, the Second Vice-presidency and Regional Ministry of Housing and Bioclimatic Architecture presented the order that regulates the Next Generation grants for the rehabilitation of dwellings and residential buildings. During the event, they explained the conditions to be met by the projects in order to obtain the grants, as well as the operation of the RE10: Circularity tool, among others. This tool, developed by the Regional Ministry of Housing with the support of the IVE, allows to verify that the circularity criteria required for the projects are met, such as dismantling capacity or adaptability, among others.
On 30 November, a conference was organised to present the new call for 2023, as well as to take a balance of the results achieved so far. In relation to the RE10: Circularity tool and its implementation, the main data collected up to 25 November 2022 are: 891 exclusive downloads since September, 306 building rehabilitation project's applications have used the RE10 circularity tool, these applications cover the rehabilitation of 1,973 dwellings, and the management and mobilisation of €68.5 million in grants.
Vera Valero Escribano
Valencia Institute of Building
